A WAR veteran has saluted a borough's new coronavirus community support hub after it delivered him a vital food parcel.

Former soldier Robert Hamilton is isolating for 12 weeks at his Blackburn home and cannot get out for essential supplies because of a health condition.

The 50-year-old hasn’t spoken to anyone but the postman and his six year old son for eight weeks.

In desperation he rang the Blackburn with Darwen Hekp Hub set up to help the isolated and vulnerable during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This week borough council officer Melanie Taylor delivered a food parcel to the ex-squaddie who served as an infantry soldier in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

A 'community connector' fro the hub has put him in touch with a veteran support for regular phone conversations to lift his spirits while in isolation.

Mr Hamilton said of the volunteers and town hall staff who ware running the Help Hub: “Thank you so much. I salute you all for the work you are doing.

“The emergency services are also doing a fantastic job keeping the streets safe, and the NHS staff are heroes too.

"Last week I sent some pizzas up to the hospital as a gesture of thanks.”

Cllr Mohammed Khan, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “Supporting vulnerable residents is a key priority We quickly set up our Help Hub to ensure that no one in struggles during the Coronavirus epidemic."

The Help Hub can be contacted online via the council website or by ringing 01254 588111